Google tackles Windows in enterprise with virtual apps on Chromebooks

VMware partnership to bring Windows desktop apps to Chrome OS through the cloud

Virtualization company VMware is to help bring Windows desktop applications to Chrome OS in partnership with Google. VMWare's Horizon DaaS (Desktop as a Service) will allow Chromebook users in enterprise to bring connect to a virtual "Windows experience" in the cloud, where they can run Windows desktop apps through Google's browser-centric OS. The move is a challenge to Microsoft in the enterprise space as Google looks to pick away at Redmond's market share among businesses.

Google will be hoping an easier transition from Windows to Chrome OS will allow it to wean enterprise customers off the Microsoft ecosystem, while making Chromebooks more appealing to those still reliant on full-blown Windows apps. In its blog post today Google points to the impending end-of-life date for Windows XP — Apr. 8, 2014 — as well as the need to migrate "legacy" applications to more up-to-date hardware, and the security advantages of running older software in a virtualized environment.

The new DaaS service is available now through VMware's Horizon View 5.3 software as an "on-premise" service, with plans to deploy the software to the Chrome Web Store at a future date.

Reader comments

Google tackles Windows in enterprise with virtual apps on Chromebooks

The problem with the "Desktops as a Service" is that they cost as much to license as it does to buy a new mid to low end PC every year ($450-$600 per year). I won't need much support if I have to buy a new PC every year, so this does not seem a viable solution for individuals, small, or even mid sized businesses. It doesn't see any break even points until you get into wide area IT deployments, and then you have to wonder why the company doesn't just do this themselves.

Agreed at that price point it makes more sense to buy a new computer every year and transfer your data, but DaaS offers a lot of great administrative services that eases the stress on IT shops. the Horizon package includes VMWare view capabilities (virtual desktop) which allows you to use both thick and thin clients, never worry about a failed machine again and allows you to access your data ANYWHERE in the world (when properly configured), not just from one given machine. it allows for easier updates for the end users in that the IT team applies the windows updates or software updates once, to one VM, users log out and back in at their convenience and the update is already done. Horizons also has a mobile service that encrypts and segregates ONLY the work data so if they need to remotely add or remove something and it's synced to a personal cell phone (like a lot of companies allow now) it won't impact the personal phone. there's more to the Horizon's package than just DaaS.

Horizons isn't designed to target personal, small or even medium business use. It's targeted at large corporations where the IT staff has over 10,000 end users to support, or for training labs, or for test labs.

Again you're right that DaaS needs to have an individual or small company target, but it just isn't there yet. Soon though. Soon

We need a consumer version of this. Let me install all my Windows apps on my desktop and stream them to a Chromebook over my WiFi. If a steambox and shield can stream video games there is no reason we shouldn't be able to stream MS Office.

Chromestacks? Like a reverse bluestacks where I can use programs made for windows on my chromebook.

Main reason why people don't use chromebooks is because they can't utilize all the software that is written for windows, that's why I have never bought one and just upgraded my PC for twice the price of a chromebook.

What you're asking for already exists. Chrome Remote Desktop is in the Chrome Web Store and works great. Install it on Chrome on your desktop, click the "Get Started" button, set the security password, install it on your Chromebook, and you're done. You'll have full access to your desktop from your Chromebook.